STAR PROGRAM - FROZEN, JR.

What is easily the most anticipated four weeks of the summer season is the STAR Program that is held at the Olean High School from Monday, July 8 through Friday, August 2. We have grandchildren of some of the first participants attending, and teachers eagerly come back to teach various classes. It is simply a fun time, and it provides an entire morning of fun and studies starting at 9:00 am and ending at 12:00 pm. It is The Olean City School District's salute to summer with many sponsors, included but not limited to City of Olean Recreation Department, Olean Times Herald, and the Olean Theatre Workshop.

This summer the program has many course offerings. The K-1 curriculum is structured to give K-1 students different activities in the Arts and Sciences, and helps build a student's self esteem and team building. The 2-4 curriculum focuses on eight different activities during the week - they write a book of poetry that will be published at the conclusion of the program, will work with coding for computers, and participate in classes that teach nutrition, art, computer science and much more.

Grades 5-12 students are able to chose two different areas of study for the four week period, including video, art,acting, cooking, yoga, and two disciplines new this year - "Cookie Jar Mystery : A Study in Forensic Science" and "Entrepreneurship : Do You Want to be a Billionaire?" Through these classes, cooperation and higher level thinking are the focus.

Of course, the gigantic event that is the focus of this program is the entire student production of FROZEN, JR. which will be the musical event that involves all the children. Forty minutes a day, each group has stage time where they will learn the songs, the dances, and all things necessary to put on a show. This will be a particularly popular musical as all children, (and adults!) love the story of Elsa and Anna and the songs, "Let it Go," "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "For the First Time in Forever." to mention a few. It is a great musical and for the audience's delight and entertainment, it is an entire 60 minute production. The wonderful thing of the musical is it shows that everyone in the company is important to the end result. The next newsletter will have more information on the show, and what has been going on in the STAR Program. For now, please mark your calendar for Friday, August 2, at 7:00 pm, and plan on being delighted. See you at the show!!

NOTE : ENROLLMENT PAPERS FOR THE STAR PROGRAM WERE SENT HOME WITH ALL STUDENTS. ONE MAY ENROLL ONE'S CHILD ON MONDAY, JULY 8, AS THERE WILL BE WORKERS AT THE FRONT TABLE IN THE LOBBY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.

The Summer Tradition will Continue....HAMLET by William Shakespeare

Continuing our summer salute to the legendary Bard, HAMLET, one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, will be our production in Oak Hill Park, August 8 - August 10. It starts at 6 and the cast has been chosen, and rehearsals have commenced. Directed by our very own Jake Riggs, the play has a stellar cast and a plot that is familiar to most. Needless to say, it will be the talk of that week of summer, and many familiar faces will be performing. This is also FREE as it is OTW's gift to our area for their support through the years. Be watching for a full article in next month's newsletter. Mark the dates and plan on attending one or all three productions. This is the first time that our Shakespeare in the Park has offered a tragedy, so excitement is in the air. The question is indeed, "To be or not to be?" Our question to you would be, "To mark the dates on your calendar in blue or black ink?" See you at the show!

SAVE THE DATE
ART IN THE PARK/TASTE OF OLEAN

Another great event to celebrate our summertime is the annual Art in the Park/Taste of Olean held on Sunday, July 28, from 11:00 to 5:00 at War Vets Park. Olean Theatre Kids will be performing at the venue and it is always fun to sit, have a taste of an offering from an area restaurant and listen to our kids perform. There will be all sorts of entertainment and the art is beautiful to behold. The tastes are wonderful. Be watching our FB Page for more details on when our kids will be performing. It will most likely be early afternoon and under the Big Tent. Hope to see many there!